Spooktober: Ghostbusters

From the iconic writing duo Harold Ramis and Dan Akroyd and famed director Ivan Rietman, comes a ghost movie like no other.

So we can all agree that Ghostbusters was and is the only ghost movie anyone should ever have to care about, sorry Casper but it’s just facts.

The original Ghostbusters movie came out in 1984 and landed great success, which is surprising if you read up on the development of the movie. Countless bad scripts, no one on set sure if Bill Murray would show up, and major fall outs and studio meddling; it’s a wonder this movie was even made.

While there have been sequels and reboots, television spin-offs and even big budget video games, nothing quite hits like the original movie.

With a strong lead cast consisting of Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murry and Ernie Hudson there isn’t much to hate. Even the supporting cast was picked from the gods with Rick Moranis, Sigourney Weaver, Annie Potts and William Atherton.

The cast is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes this film great, dare I say legendary. The comedy is one point for the entire length of the movie, not one joke is missed or over-played, nor does it ruin a particularly tense moment.

I would argue there isn’t much action in the movie, the biggest part would be the ending set piece with the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man walking through New York City. There are some great fast paced scenes like anything that happens in the hotel, but I wouldn’t necessarily call it an action sequence.

Now as I briefly mentioned, a lot of people will perhaps remember the ending of this movie more than the beginning. But that leads me onto a funny little parody that aired on the T.V not so long ago.

The show was called The Keith and Paddy Picture Show which starred Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness. Together, the duo recreated their favourite movies but on a budget and comedy would ensue.

When they tackled Ghostbusters, instead of the white marshmallow man we know, we instead got a very chaotic Mr Blobby. Everyone’s favourite 90s menace and nightmare, but I love him all the same. But now every time I rewatch this 80’s classic, I can’t help but think of Mr Blobby causing a rampage amongst New Yorkers.

Now we can’t talk about Ghostbusters and not bring up the iconic theme that is commonly associated with them, and is still 30 years later being used. Written and sung by Ray Parker Jr, although what many may not know is that Back to the Future singer Hewey Lewis was originally meant to write and sing.

However after Back to the Future, Lewis didn’t want to be known as the ‘man who sang for movies’ and left the project. Yet, to many, he’ll always be known as the guy that sang the Back to the Future song. Ironic.

There are some criticisms that I’d like to shed light on, though none of them are new to anyone. Ernie Hudson deserved better in these movies, being the only ghostbuster to be introduced last. Heck, even our side characters were introduced only a few minutes into the movie, yet poor Winston was left until nearly twenty minutes until the movie ended.

Of course, he’s seen more recognition in recent years; as he should.

Ghostbusters bounces comedy, thriller and mystery together in a shockingly good way. The characters are loveable and even more so the cast. The CGI, while mainly practical, is a marvel to look at now with today’s standards.

The story feels a little slow at the beginning but once it picks up the movie is off and its wonderful to see.

Ghostbusters gets 4 out of 5 Slimers from me.